PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Tight end Andrew Rappleyea snuck out into the open field during a fourth-and-2 situation in the first quarter, and quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer rifled the ball to him.
Rappleyea hauled in the throw and avoided a potential tackler, running down the left sideline for a 53-yard touchdown. It was one of the highlights during his career-high outing of four catches for 75 yards in Penn State’s 40-36 win over Rutgers on Saturday night as he continues to see a larger role in the offense.
“Seeing the opportunity, getting myself more and more opportunities week to week has been awesome,” Rappleyea said postgame. “I’m just doing my job and (tight ends coach Ty Howle) believing in me to go out there and do my job has been absolutely great.”
Rappleyea’s seen increased playing time in recent weeks, receiving the starting nod in the last five games. He saw at least 30 snaps per game in the previous four games, but his highest yardage total was 13 yards on three catches against Indiana.
The Millbrook, New York, native immediately made more of an impact in the passing game, as even after his scoring play, he caught another 14-yard pass in the second quarter before a 5-yard reception in the following period.
Rappleyea then had another key moment against the Scarlet Knights late in the fourth quarter. With the Nittany Lions at Rutgers’ 10-yard line for another fourth and 2, he caught his final pass of the game to move the chains, which secured the victory.
“I mean, you call the play,” Rappleyea said. “They said, ‘Hey, if it’s man, you’re getting it.’ I motioned in, saw what it was. I knew exactly what’s gonna happen. I’ve worked really hard for these moments. This is my opportunity to go do it.”
Rappleyea has appeared in all 12 games so far this season. He began as a more rotational player behind tight ends Khalil Dinkins and Luke Reynolds, but he’s taken a spot at the top of the depth chart.
This all comes after enduring a long-term injury last year, which made him miss every game after the season opener against West Virginia. He detailed what it was like to work his way back prior to the 2025 campaign starting.
“It was definitely frustrating (being hurt),” Rappleyea said at local media day on Aug. 2. “I just learned that upon returning, you got to take every opportunity you have. I want to show just my love for the game, realizing it being out, obviously not fun or ideal. Bouncing back from injury is extremely exciting, but making sure I’m being smart with it, so I feel really good about everything.”
Rappleyea was a 247Sports composite 4-star and the No. 125 player nationally in the 2023 class. Now beginning to see more action, the redshirt sophomore made a flash of what he could become in Penn State’s offense in the future.
Entering Saturday, Rappleyea had 87 receiving yards and a touchdown this year. He almost matched his previous season totals against Rutgers alone as he feels he’s peaking as a player.
“Throughout the years, I was coming back from a tough time, so it took me a little while to shake everything off. I was playing fast, I was playing physical. Felt good, but now I’m at the top of my game.”
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